The Oakville man represented himself at the judge-only criminal trial that often took bizarre detours over points of process. He had pleaded not guilty to all the charges in October, claiming he himself was a victim of conspiracy.

With access to a trust account started by his grandfather, Garrick testified in his own defense he was able to make earn millions in investments including buying into Google in its early days.

He claimed when he approached the five complainants – including former Toronto Argonauts Clemons and Allen – about opportunities to invest in various companies, he did so in good faith.

As for what happened to the money Garrick claimed was invested – he testified that he had handed over responsibility for the investments – including his own – to an elusive business partner named Yan Valle.

“I trusted him completely,” Garrick told the court.

But Crown attorney John Scutt argued Garrick intentionally deceived each complainant into investing tens of thousands each, posing as a successful, Ivy-League trained businessman and then spending their cash on personal expenses – clothing, cars and rentals.

At trial, Scutt presented several evidence books full of financial records showing money orders and cheques deposited into accounts he alleged belonged to Garrick. Bank statements on the days following showed large cash withdrawal, purchases and bill payments.

All five complainants testified at the trial, each whose story ended the same: When it came time for them to be repaid, suddenly the sociable Garrick fell off the map, not responding to phone calls or requests for the money to be returned.

“The stories became less palatable and less believable over time,” Clemons testified.

“I would try to contact him and he would be unavailable,” Vadas testified. “I started to doubt whether he is who he says he is.”

Throughout the trial, McCombs often appeared exasperated – shutting his laptop, holding his head in his hands and rubbing his face before interrupting Garrick when a line of questioning became derailed.

“I’m doing my best to make sure that you don’t become your own worst enemy,” he told Garrick at one point.